A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

Just as the commotion started, everyone's curiosity was piqued. People gathered around with wide eyes, whispering and trading theories like they were at a neighborhood barbecue.

"It's not for me? Oh, come on, it's obviously for me!" Valerian insisted, grinning. "Franco, you knew about this, didn't you?"

"Callie told you to order this car, right? She specifically wanted you to get it for me, didn't she?"

"I heard you both talking about ordering the car, you know!" Valerian added matter-of-factly, as if everything was already settled. "You won't help me? Fine, I'll take care of it myself. The keys? Are they in the car?"

He started tugging at the car cover, determined to see what was underneath.

Franco tried to stop him, but Valerian was having none of it. He was absolutely set on seeing and test-driving the car.

Ulysses, standing nearby, started to get the feeling something wasn't right.

If this car really was for Valerian, Franco wouldn't be trying so hard to block him from it. Odds were, the fancy new ride wasn't his.

"Valerian, maybe you should double-check," Ulysses suggested, shooting a look at Franco. "There's a chance it's not actually for you."

He thought of Callie and felt a pang of annoyance. She had more than one "big brother" figure. Maybe this gift was for someone else entirely.

"No way. She told Franco it was for her second brother, and that's me!" Valerian declared. "It's obviously meant for me!"

"Second brother?" Ulysses echoed, a thoughtful look on his face. If he remembered right, Callie had three "brothers" at the airport that day. "Second brother" might be one of those guys, not necessarily Valerian.

"Valerian, listen," Franco said, trying to be diplomatic, "Callie never actually said this car was for you. If it were, I would've handed you the keys already. I really don't want you to get the wrong idea."

Anyone paying attention could see how things stood: this car definitely wasn't Valerian's. But Valerian was convinced. In his mind, Callie wouldn't give a gift like this to anyone but him. He'd already forgotten about the other "brothers" in her life, thinking only ofhow she must be trying to win their favor.

Ignoring Franco's protests, Valerian whipped the cover off the car.

Franco could only watch in exasperation.

The crowd gasped as the cover came off. Someone whistled. "Isn't that the new limited-edition Mustang?"

"Only a handful of those in the whole country! Did the boss really get her hands on one?"

"Unbelievable. She's just giving it away as a gift?"

"Is it really for Valerian? That can't be right..."

"Yeah, I don't buy it either," someone else muttered.

In

Doubt and disbelief buzzed through the crowd. The car was just too extravagant. No one could picture Valerian behind the wheel of

something like that.

"Valerian, I'm telling you, this car isn't for you!" Franco finally snapped, losing his patience.

"Do I really need to spell it out for you? This isn't your gift. Hands off!"

He'd tried to spare Valerian's feelings, but enough was enough. Valerian just wouldn't listen.

"Franco, are you serious?" Valerian shot back, clearly offended. "Don't you know

I'm Callie's second brother? Her actual family!"noveldrama

He glared at Franco, feeling like Franco had forgotten his place. Sure, Franco ran things at the company, but in Valerian's mind, he was just

Callie's assistant. fo